Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-12-23

doctors came; he must have died in
stantly."
mo, he died in my arms!' Eva said
with a sob; II remember he gave one
gasp as l took him up. Oh, my baby!
my baby!' and she broke forth again
into piteous sobs, and rising, started to
leave the room.
Zone moment, please" Clarice said,
again OBTAINING her; "let me go first.
He was asleep few moments ago, and
the doctor left orders that he must not
be disturbed. -
She left the room, and in a few mo-
ments returned and motioned Eva to fol-
lew her.
"Be as calm as possible, dear, Clarice
whispered as she left her. AS the door
closed softly behind her friend, Eva stood
still a moment at her husbands bedside.
His head was well covered with bandages
concealing the ugly wounds beneath. the
eyes were closed and his face wore the
pallor of death. Her heart grew faint
within her; surely he would die, if not
already dead; and every unkind word
she had spoken rose up before her like
avenging spirits How all the old love
revived with tenfold power. He had
never. even in their l,appiest days. seemed
so inexpressibly dear as at that moment.
Oh. if God would but spare him, life
time of devotion should atone for all past
unkindness.
A quick sob broke from her, notwith-
standing her efforts of self control.
Richards eyes Enclosed and with faint
smile he held out his hand to her. Drop
ping on her knees by the side of the bed
she laid her bead beside his on the pillow,
while his arm was passed fondly about
her.
"Oh, Dick, forgive mel" she sobbed,
forgetting all her caution. 81 shall never
forgive myself; l II never speak an unkind
word again, never, never. while | hve.'
The sentences were broken and disjointed,
uttered amidst sobs and tears.
There, there, dear Richard said
gently. as he drew her face closer to him
and kissed her tenderly. Then, with a
noble generosity. which seems a part of
some men S natures. he added kindly: Il
was to blame: l should have been more
thoughtful; l ought to have taken you
out instead of going off alone for my own
pleasure. We will begin anew. now
He stopped, unable to finish the gen.
tence.
"Yes, know! Harry is dead. Oh,
my baby! my baby" she sobbed
Richards lips quivered and the heavy
eyelids were pressed upon the pallid
cheeks to repress the starting tears He
drew her closely toward him and ten
derby pressed her tear stained cheek
against his own in mute sympathy, but
could utter no word
How very, very dear his beautiful boy
had been to the young father, none but
God might know.
For long time they were very quiet,
Eva S sobs alone breaking the stiffness,
until at last those ceased and Richard
said softly:
'Evvie.'
YES. dear.'
How many long months had passed
since she had heard the dear old pet
name from his lips. How many more
since she had spoken one endearing word
to hilh. The sound of them now carried
them back to the old, happy days before
harsh words had been spoken or unkind
feelings held sway.
What do you wish. DEAR" Eva
asked. waiting a moment for her hus-
bands request.
"Harry'-his lips trembled-he could
not go on.
YES. dear Eva said softly, divining
intuitively. in her new found sympathy
with her husband the wish he could not
, express.
Rising quietly, she passed out of the
, room. In few minutes she returned
: bearing the dead babe in her arms.
All the violence of her grief seemed
hushed into stiffness in the presence o.
death.
) Seating herself on the side of the bed
she turned her precious burden tenderl,
until the fathers eye could rest on it
: face. his hands touch it without chang,
! of position
! Never in the full flush of health anc
nfantle beauty had their boy LOOKED
more lovely than now, as, robed for thu
! grave. he lay in his mothers arms. Thu
fatal wound had been deity concealed
and the locks of hair fell over the Whit
forehead in soft. curling rings the lon!
=. lashes of the blue veined lids lay light,
on the fair. round cheek the swee
curved lips just parted with smile, AM
the pretty dimpled hands were crossed OF
/ the lifeless breast
= Too fair and beautiful he seemed 70
- the coffin. the cold, dark grave.
The white lips of the young fathe
:, quivered, and the large tears forced thei
:, way from beneath the trembling eyelids
as he laid his hand on the head of hi
= darling boy. Then his hand fell softl
9 upon Eva's with gentle. loving clasp.
"Our darling Harry is safe in a bette
world. he said at last, in voice broke
= by emotion. And let us, dear, max
- his death the beginning of new life c
- thoughtfulness and forbearance each tc
: ward the other.
! And Eva, touching her lips with tende
u reverence to the fair, cold forehead c
u her darling, said softly:
God being my helper, will prov
l. that the death of my precious boy has M